German art hoarder in talks with 6 claimants

BERLIN – A lawyer for the elderly art collector whose works were seized by German police two years ago says he is in negotiations with six claimants who are seeking items stolen from them or their families by the Nazis.

Hannes Hartung, who represents Cornelius Gurlitt, says the claims cover three percent of the more than 1,400 works authorities confiscated from the collector's Munich apartment in 2012.

Hartung said in a statement Monday that Gurlitt's case was being treated more harshly than other public and private collections in Germany, which may also be in possession of stolen art.

He encouraged further potential claimants to submit their claims through a newly created website.